Posts Tagged ‘BNSF’

Whether you are for or against certain (or all) wars, you likely support your country’s troops who bravely serve. One of the greatest struggles these troops have when they return home is finding employment. This Memorial Day, think about how you can help the effort to find every Veteran a job and spread the word when you find companies doing their part. The American Association of Railroads expects to hire 15,000 new employees in 2012 and expect 1 in 5 of those to be Veterans. They have created an online tribute to freight rail employees with military service, highlighting a variety of rail jobs: American Association of Railroads: Military Faces.

According to G.I. Jobs Magazine, five Class I Railroads are on the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers list for 2012 (up one from last year.) They are:

CSX is at Rank 3 and has 6 Years on the MFE Top 100

BNSF is at Rank 4 and has 7 Years on the MFE Top 100

Union Pacific is at Rank 28 and has 7 Years on the MFE Top 100

Canadian National is at Rank 49 and has 3 Years on the MFE Top 100 (Photo Credit: CN)

Norfolk Southern is at Rank 50 and has 5 Years on the MFE Top 100

Thank you for reading and a heartfelt thank you to all of our Veterans.

Once you sign up online you are able to print out your very own membership card. You are also given some direction about what type of activities qualify as suspicious. This includes things like: trespassers, unattended vehicles, suspicious objects/packages, suspicious activities or people all on or near railroad property, crimes in progress like vandalism or theft, threats against the railroad, gates left open or damaged, track obstructions, potential mechanical problems with trains and illegal dumping.

So, you’ve seen something suspicious! Both Amtrak and BNSF make it pretty clear, just because you have a special badge doesn’t mean they want you to go take care of it. What they want you to do is report it! This is where the card comes in handy, as it has the number they would like you to call to report your particular flavor of suspicious activity. Before you call they want you to note some specifics first, here it is helpful to pretend you are a newspaper reporter and note the 6 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.

Who is being suspicious? Describe them, their vehicle….

What is suspicious? Describe what you saw, what occurred….

Where is the suspiciousness? Explain where the issue is, include streets or mile markers….

When was it suspicious? Relate when this happened, or when you noticed it….

Why/How is it suspicious? How doesn’t start with a ‘w’ but it’s in the list; include any other information that might help the police or railroad personnel.

Watch out! I'm official! My Citizens for Rail Security card.

Now, I know you are really liking this badge situation and feel pretty special. Like you have a special ‘in’ with the railroads but wait! There’s more…. The railroads want to make sure you understand that this isn’t an invitation to trespass. You are supposed to report trespassers, not become one! That would defeat the whole purpose. Don’t trespass even to answer the 6 W’s. Restricted areas include places like: employee areas, maintenance facilities, unoccupied trains, engines, or maintenance vehicles, office areas, baggage areas, delivery areas, commissaries, right-of-way areas, track areas, and in-service train cars. Then there are the tracks, don’t walk on the tracks! That’s a big no-no. It’s highly illegal and highly dangerous. Only cross tracks at roadway crossings or designated pedestrian areas and when taking photos of trains always do it at least 15 feet from the closest rail.

Where not to stand when taking a photo. Obviously I hadn't read the rules yet. San Luis Obispo Amtrak Station, November 2009 - Photo by Cat Cook

Of course, we should all be reporting suspicious activity whether we have a special identification card or not. However, you may want to consider signing up with Amtrak or BNSF since the cards are handy for reminding us of rules around railroads and for providing the phone numbers to contact authorities in case of suspicious activities or safety hazards. Oh, and then there is the cool factor. I printed mine on card stock to give it that extra little ‘something’. Now, I just need a laminator to preserve my fancy ID cards for all time…